Am I the only silly person running winter tires on a Rubicon?

[sigsegv]

Why'd I do it? I wanted to try it. I bought an extra set of wheels and got 5 studless Nokian Hakkapeliitta LT2s in the stock 285/70R17 size.

So far they're good - noticeably grippier than the KO2s on Seattle's wet 40 degree polished-to-a-shine-by-studs streets. I'm heading to Montana next week, where I'll give them a real test.

They don't look as cool as the KO2s, though. No aggressive tread pattern on the sidewalls.

Is anyone else running these, or one of the few other 33"+ winter tires?

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[Torero]

I have the tires but didn’t or haven’t gotten the wheels. I do believe in winter tires. Good for you.

 

[sigsegv]

I have the tires but didn’t or haven’t gotten the wheels. I do believe in winter tires. Good for you.

Which ones did you get? I think Toyo and General make winter tires this big too.

 

[Torero]

Which ones did you get? I think Toyo and General make winter tires this big too.

Same Nokian. Only one I found.

 

[Capt-Zoom]

33x12.5 BFG AT and TKO on my TJ never failed me in the frozen hell that is northern MN in winter yearly facing -50F, 12-18 inches of snow at a time on hills like San Francisco, and black ice from Halloween till April. They handle everything Colorado throws at me with ease. No need for snow tires.

 

[sigsegv]

33x12.5 BFG AT and TKO on my TJ never failed me in the frozen hell that is northern MN in winter yearly facing -50F, 12-18 inches of snow at a time on hills like San Francisco, and black ice from Halloween till April. They handle everything Colorado throws at me with ease. No need for snow tires.

I've heard lots of great things about the BFG KO2 in snow. I can tell you that on Seattle's 35-40 degree, wet, and shiny non-snowy streets, the KO2s are not all that good. They're not dangerous, but provide noticeably less traction than the garbage Hankook all-seasons that came on my Sedona. I sure as hell am not going to put all seasons on a Rubicon, and figured I could improve its winter performance with winter tires while getting even better snow performance. So far I'm happy.

 

[JIMBOX]

I maintain my HANKOOK DYNAPRO MT tread--but

That's because my jeep lives in the desert and even though we get some pretty harsh winters--SNOW/ICE/RAIN--I don't have to get on the freeway or drive in big city, but

I think you're very smart and PRACTICAL ADAM--

Keep it up-I grew up in PORTLAND, OREGON and my dad did the same thing in the 40's/50's--

W.E.

JIMBO

 

[PaPasJP]

Winter..... I don't understand..... LOL

When I lived in Montana I had 2 sets as well.

 

[stangken]

Did you pull the studs out?

 

[55WillysWagon]

Why'd I do it? I wanted to try it. I bought an extra set of wheels and got 5 studless Nokian Hakkapeliitta LT2s in the stock 285/70R17 size.

So far they're good - noticeably grippier than the KO2s on Seattle's wet 40 degree polished-to-a-shine-by-studs streets. I'm heading to Montana next week, where I'll give them a real test.

They don't look as cool as the KO2s, though. No aggressive tread pattern on the sidewalls.

Is anyone else running these, or one of the few other 33"+ winter tires?

I like your thinking. I'm in MA but will venture to ME, NH, VT for skiing. Snows are nice to have. My JLUR has sidelined my 05 Yukon XL but keeping it for the utility. I just put a set of Blizzak 265/70/17s on it for ski trips. Have thought more than once about how'd they'd work on the Rubi if the truck ever gives up the ghost.

 

[sigsegv]

Did you pull the studs out?

No, the same tire is available studless and studded. It's the same mold I guess, just in one version they stick studs in. I don't want to be part of the problem of Washington's roads turning into powdered rock, so I bought studless. If it was up to me studded tires would be illegal or have a $1000 tax associated with each set.

 

[palmor]

I like your thinking. I'm in MA but will venture to ME, NH, VT for skiing. Snows are nice to have. My JLUR has sidelined my 05 Yukon XL but keeping it for the utility. I just put a set of Blizzak 265/70/17s on it for ski trips. Have thought more than once about how'd they'd work on the Rubi if the truck ever gives up the ghost.

I’m in MA and put the same tires on, but having a Moab I wasn’t even going to try the Mud Terrains in the snow. Been running snows on my vehicles for years and there is such a difference I can’t go back.

 

[stangken]

I’m in CO and will be heading to the slopes tomorrow to see how the stock 285/70 KO2s perform. Been wondering if I should pony up for some dedicated snows. I just spent $1k for dedicated snows (wheels and tires) for my wife’s fwd CR-V. I’ll report back.

 

[pedalbob]

Yesterday returned from Vancouver to Revelstoke over the Coquihalla with my 2019 JLU Rubicon with the KO2's. Very bad winter conditions. This morning I am ordering Toyo GSi-5 winter tires. I have ran the Toyo GSi-5 on my last two vehicles, they are so much better in icy conditions.

 

[JLURD]

Late to the party on this thread. Been running Nokian Hakka LT2 315-70/17s (34.4”) strapped to AEV’s JL pintlers on the JLUR all winter in AK. The stock KO2s will get by in snow but are not even close to the performance of a true snow tire like the LT2. OP when you wear out those 285s, definitely get the 315s!

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